"Needed here at home. Roads washed out, everything out of fix. Decided
to stay at home." Miss Lady wheeled from the window where she had been
tracing the raindrops on the pane, and made a rush for him,
establishing herself on his lap, as far as one could establish oneself
on such a perpendicular surface.

"You are not going to do anything of the kind. Uncle Jimpson is going
to drive you in to town to catch the first train in the morning."

"I ain't going," insisted the Colonel, shaking his head doggedly.

"Yes you are. Where's your traveling bag?"

"On the top shelf of the cupboard. But I'm not going." He said it
firmly, but the next instant he asked, "Did Jimpson press my gray
suit?"

"Oh! Squire Daddy, I'm so sorry I forgot to tell him! I'll tell him
now."

"Too late!" the Colonel sighed in resignation; "no use talking any
more about it."

"Yes there is! Your enthusiasm's just gotten damp like everything
else. I am going to tell Uncle Jimpson to make a little fire to cheer
us up, then we'll all go to work to get you ready."

It seemed to be a relief to her to bustle about and set things in
motion. In a short while she had a cheerful blaze going on the hearth,
and the curtains drawn against the dreary twilight without.